TROWBRIDGE Amateur Boxing Club put their talents to the test against 1,000 other young boxers in the Monkstown Box Cup last weekend.

Trowbridge sent a team of nine young boxers to the competition just outside of Dublin, which has entrants from all over Europe.

Owen Heard, 12, was the first to fight but he was handed a tough test and was unlucky to lose on a split decision.

It was then Jack and Dillan Stonehouse’s turn, 11 and 13 respectively, but they too fell victim to a tough draw as they also lost on points.

Harry Glover, 14, was successful in his quarter-final fight and managed to book a place in Saturday’s semi-finals.

Bradley Smith, 15, brought Friday to a close when he too took part in a quarter-final bout, but he did not progress after a points decision went against him. Saturday was semi-final day and there were five Trowbridge boxers in action in total, including Jimmy J Jordan, 13, and Glover.

Jordan was unable to defeat his opponent after a great performance despite thinking he had done enough to get to the final.

Glover faced a highly-experienced opponent but made a good impression with a strong boxing display but his opponent went on to win gold.

Ruby Hanson, 16, was crowned the winner in her bout after a good performance was rewarded with a points decision.

Elizabeth Bools had the misfortune of having to face an opponent two weight divisions above because there were no other fighters in her category.

The 17-year-old’s French counterpart was too strong for the Trowbridge teenager, who lost her bout on a points decision. Trowbridge team captain Callum Smith was next up and he put in a strong shift, beating his opponent comfortably.

This left the Trowbridge team with two fighters still in the competition, couple Smith and Hanson.

Hanson was desperate to win her first international competition after recently being selected for the England talent programme.

A ferocious start from Hanson forced the referee into giving her opponent an early standing count. After the count, Hanson continued to land shots and eventually the bout was stopped.

Smith was keen to match his girlfriend by also winning his first international tournament. Hhe faced an Irish Youth Champion and emerged victorious.